Mangalore: Men on the Run from AA Camp  -One Ends up with Broken Leg
Daijiworld Media Network  [FR]
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje

Mangalore, May 5: “Means should justify the ends”, the famous words of Gandhi has timeless value in our lives despite passage of time. Which means our actions should justify the end results of our actions.  A NGO which ventured into this Gandhian thought had a bitter lesson to learn when it’s good intentions went topsy-turvy resulting in embarrassment much to the amusement of those who witnessed it.  The scene that unfolded yesterday in the city was nothing short of any movie thriller of recent years comprising a deadly combination of adventure, thrill, suspense, action and melodrama.    

A NGO which strives to bring alcoholics back into the mainstream of the society organized an Alcoholic Anonymous camp in the city yesterday.  It has been conducting such camps in various parts of the district from time to time.  They identify alcoholics based on the information provided by their family members without the knowledge of the alcoholics.  This is done in the good intention of bringing them back to the mainstream of the society by their family members who approach the NGO with correct information on the alcoholic person. 

Similarly, based on the information available with them the NGO went to the houses and brought about 12 to 15 alcoholics from different parts of the to take them to the camp being held in the Government Primary High School in Pandeshwar.  These people who were already in an inebriated condition were put into a room and the door was bolted to ensure they don’t run away from there.  

When the organizers got themselves busy with the other aspects of the camp this motley crowd ventured into action. They realized they were tricked into being brought to the camp and their inebriated minds worked quickly to find a way out of the impasse they found themselves in.   At least 7 to 8 of them climbed the roof of the school, removed the tiles and jumped away to freedom one by one.  Inspired by the adventure of these youngsters most of whom were in their early 30’s, a 45-year old man climbed the roof and jumped down only to break his leg.  His misadventure has landed him in the hospital where he is now recuperating cursing his fate and failed adventure.  

Passers-by watched the drama that was unfolding with curiosity and anxiety.  No doubt the NGO was guided with the good intention of reforming these alcoholics.  But their efforts were nullified by the misadventure of the assorted crowd of alcoholics.